Customer Reviews

Wounded Bird of Paradise

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Maybelline is a very interesting character. She shares the literary spotlight with her pen pal's son, Carlos who has Asperger's Syndrome. Asperger's Syndrome (AS) is the spectrum partner to autism.

At the opening of the story, Maybelline leaves England for the warmer climes of Portugal. She moves in with her friend Rosa, with whom she had a friendship through mail for some time.

Rosa has a young son named Carlos. Very little is said about the boy's father, but readers learn fragments about him. Carlos is the product of an interracial union; the boy's father has had no contact with either him or Rosa for some years. Rosa has poor judgment in men, believing every romantic promise that they make to her.

Carlos, who has AS, has no concept of how to respond socially; he takes everything people say literally; he is unable to gauge age in others and has a special interest in gardening, most specifically the Bird of Paradise flower.

Maybelline takes the boy under her wing. When he insists on buying Rosa yet another colorful bottle for her birthday, Maybelline tells him it is time to buy her something different. She even has to tell the boy to hug Rosa, which is not something he would have thought of doing nor was inclined to do.

Maybelline stays for several years. During her time in Portugal, Rosa dies and Carlos, by then a young adult has to be taught how to manage finances and keep his job at the plant nursery.

A very interesting book and a very realistic portrayal of a young man who has Asperger's Syndrome. Many believe AS is a form of autism since it is on the spectrum and I am inclined to share that belief. Carlos' behavior is closer to the AS end of the spectrum, which means he is much higher functioning. His social ineptitude is his biggest stumbling block.

What makes this book so unique is the inclusion about the Bird of Paradise flower at the end of the chapters. There are sections written in the first person in Maybelline's voice and others in the third person in Carlos' voice, which make for an interesting back and forth. The ending was somewhat of a surprise and is rather funny, as from Maybelline's perspective.

WILD ORCHID by Beverly Brenna is a good companion book to this one.